Train management system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for improving the travel efficiency of a train that includes decoupling the last car from a moving train, guiding the last car onto an adjacent track and bringing the decoupled car to a stop. The system and method of the present invention may also be used to move a decoupled car from a stopped position to a primary track where the decoupled car may be coupled to a moving train.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Serial No. 60/273,780, filed Mar. 5, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The present invention pertains to systems for increasing the efficiency of a train of vehicles move, particularly, the present invention pertains to a system for minimizing the time required t load or unload cargo or passengers.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] Trains typically begin their journeys at a station or depot and travel along a predetermined route visiting a plurality of other stations or depots until they reach their ultimate destination. At each depot or station along the route, the entire train is brought to a full stop and those passengers or those parcels of freight to be unloaded are removed from the train. The passengers or freight that is scheduled for other destinations remains on the train while the train unloads and loads passengers or freight. Once having completed the unloading/loading process, the train then is reaccelerated back to its travel velocity until it reaches the next station where once again it is brought to a full stop. For those passengers or freight that are not disembarking at a particular depot or station, the time spent in a station is wasted as no progress is made toward the eventual destination of the passengers or freight.

[0006] To increase the efficiency of railroad transportation system, some railroad operators have adopted the use of express trains. While express trains may provide greater travel efficiency for some, an express train operates like a regular train except there are just fewer stops.

[0007] Still other railroad operators delay operating a train until such time as a sufficient load is accumulated for a particular destination to make the run profitable. While such systems increase travel efficiency while operating, there may be significant delays before the train ever departs for its ultimate destination.

[0008] Accordingly, there remains a need to significantly alter the way a train transport system operates to make a dramatic improvement in its efficiency.

SUMMARY

[0009] The system and method for improving the efficiency of train travel includes decoupling the last car in a train while the train is still moving on a first or primary set of tracks. Once the last car has been decoupled, it is guided onto a siding or onto an adjoining set of tracks. The motion of the last car of the train is maintained by a series of linear induction motors which are placed in close proximity, preferably between, the tracks on the siding or on the second set of railroad tracks, where the linear induction motors may comprise one piece attached to a car and second piece attached to a track. The set of linear induction motors is then used to slow the velocity of the decoupled car to a stop at a station or depot. At the station or depot, the passengers may disembark from a decoupled passenger car or freight may be unloaded from a decoupled boxcar, tanker or gondola.

[0010] It is also possible to utilize the system of the present invention in reverse. Specifically, a stationary car is loaded at a station or depot and then is accelerated to a predetermined velocity along a siding or an adjoining set of tracks by a series of linear induction motors located between the two rails. Once the loaded car has reached its predetermined velocity, it may then be coupled to a moving train on a first or primary set of tracks. If speeds are properly managed, a car can be removed from the end of a moving train and guided toward a depot while at the same time another car is accelerated away from a depot to join the moving train on the first or primary set of tracks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0011] A better understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the drawing figures wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a train approaching a station;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a train approaching a station showing the last car decoupled from the train;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the decoupled car moving along a siding or a second set of tracks towards a depot;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the decoupled car at the depot;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the decoupled car being accelerated toward a moving train;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the decoupled car approaching a moving train;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the moving train with the formerly decoupled car added.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] A further understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be had by reference to the drawing figures wherein FIG. 1 depicts a train 10 moving along a track 12. If the train 10 is a passenger train, those passengers disembarking at the next oncoming station would be moved into the last car 14 on the train 10. As shown in FIG. 2, when the train 10 gets closer to the station 100 and all disembarking passengers have been moved to the last car 14, the last car 14 is decoupled from the train 10. The remaining portion of the train 10 continues on its way while the decoupled car 14 is directed along a siding or second section of track 16 as shown in FIG. 3. Once the decoupled car 14 is on the siding or adjoining section of track 16, a series of devices for controlling car movement such as linear induction motors 18, located in close proximity to the rails and preferably between the two rails of the track, are used to both decelerate the decoupled car 14 and move it toward a depot or station 100 where the passengers may be unloaded. As shown in FIG. 3, the remaining portion of the train 10 continues on its way, never having had to fully stop. As shown in FIG. 4, the decoupled car 14 is located at the depot or station 100 where the disembarking passengers leave the decoupled car. 14

[0020] The disclosed method and system of the present invention may also be used to couple a loaded car 24 to a moving train 30. As shown in FIG. 5, a single car 24, preferably loaded with passengers or freight, is moved along a siding or adjoining section of track 26, preferably by a series of linear induction motors 28. As shown in FIG. 6, the loaded single car 24 is accelerated to a predetermined speed and then as an oncoming train 30 passes, the single car 24 is moved toward the train 30 by a series of linear induction motors 28 where it is recoupled. Once recoupled, and as shown in FIG. 7, the moving train 30 along with the formerly coupled car 24 continues on its way and may resume normal speed. Proper management of speeds will allow the car being accelerated up to speed away from a station to take the place of the car which was de-coupled from the train to be guided to the station.

[0021] While the system of the present embodiment has been described for use in close proximity to, or preferably between a pair of tracks, it may also be used on monorail systems, bullet, or high-speed train systems and urban rapid transit systems to include subways and elevated rail lines.

[0022] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that numerous other embodiments of the foregoing invention are enabled by this disclosure. Such other embodiments shall fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving the efficiency of a train along a predetermined path, said method comprising the steps of: decoupling the last car from the train while the train is moving on the predetermined path; causing said decoupled car to be diverted onto an adjoining predetermined path; decelerating said decoupled car to a stationary position on said adjacent predetermined path.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1 further including the steps of: accelerating said decoupled car from said stationary position to a predetermined velocity; coupling said decoupled car to a moving train.
 3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein said decoupled car is a passenger car.
 4. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said decoupled car is a freight car.
 5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said deceleration is controlled by linear induction motors.
 6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein a first portion of said linear induction motor is located on said decoupled car and a second portion of said linear induction motor is located on said predetermined path and said adjoining predetermined path.
 7. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein said acceleration is controlled by linear induction motors.
 8. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein a first portion of said linear induction motor is located on said decoupled car and a second portion of said linear induction motor is located on said predetermined path and said adjoining predetermined path.
 9. A system for controlling the travel of a train along a predetermined path, said system comprising: means for decoupling the last car from a moving train; means for decelerating said decoupled car; means for diverting said decoupled car onto said adjoining predetermined path; and means for stopping said decoupled car on said adjoining predetermined path.
 10. The system as defined in claim 9 further including: means for moving a decoupled car from a stop; means for guiding said accelerating decoupled car onto said predetermined path from said adjoining predetermined path; means for accelerating said decoupled car to the speed of a moving train; and means for coupling said decoupled car to said moving train.
 11. The system as defined in claim 9, wherein said means for decelerating, and said means for stopping include linear induction motors.
 12. The system as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for moving and said means for accelerating include linear induction motors. 